Lam COS

[Splicer2014]

How does it hold up for toughness? I do love my Fällkniven knives (especially since I'm Swedish) but the VG10 has a tendency to microchip. But I never tried a laminated cos versions, does it chip less, more tough for tougher use?

 

[Korean Hog]

I've used my PXLx in Lam. COS fairly hard and dinged it on quite a few duct staples, sheet metal, screws, nails etc.
It is definitely tougher than VG10, but it still micro chips when you nick the blade on something like metal or bone.

I don't consider Lam. COS a "tough" steel like CPM 3V or even plain ole 5160. However, it is noticeably tougher than VG10 in my experience.
I wouldn't use the Lam COS for anything you wouldn't use the VG10 for, but if you're looking for an improvement over the VG10, for similar use,
you should be quite happy.

 

[Splicer2014]

I only use my Fällkniven knives for wood, batoning, carving and so on. I had an F1 VG10 microchip due to some sand/micro gravel being on the smaller branch I was batoning. That is a bit extreme in my opinion for micro chipping.

 

[Korean Hog]

I only use my Fällkniven knives for wood, batoning, carving and so on. I had an F1 VG10 microchip due to some sand/micro gravel being on the smaller branch I was batoning. That is a bit extreme in my opinion for micro chipping.

I would expect the Lam. COS to perform very similar to the VG10 in the situations you described. If you're looking to solve the chipping problem I would look for a tougher steel.
I understand wanting to use knives made in your country, I'm an American and prefer to support the U.S.A. as much as possible.

Lam. COS is formulated for edge retention over toughness and Fallkniven is heat treating it to a hardness of ~60 HRC
This type of heat treating/ tempering (hardness) lends itself to edge retention over toughness as well on most steels.

I'd look for another Swedish company that produces knives meant for "tougher" applications.

You could try and find a custom maker from Sweden that can make what you want. Then you'd support a small business and Sweden.
I'd be surprised if you couldn't find a quality chopper and log splitter from Sweden of all places!

Otherwise, get ya some good 'ole tough, American Carbon steel
Only kidding Never mind the country but mind the HRC and tempering when it comes to finding a tough steel.

One example, and IMO a good starting point, would be ESEE's 1095 Carbon with an Rc of 55-57.

 

[Twindog]

The graph is from the ZKnives site, showing CoS, VG10 and 440C

I'm not seeing much difference. I never got too interested in CoS because it seemed like just another good steel.

In an earlier thread, Larrin said about CoS:

"Cobalt social steel is a modified 440C with cobalt, moly, and a small vanadium addition. It is cast conventionally. Therefore it has moderate wear resistance., relatively low toughness, and good corrosion resistance."
cpm3v-vs-cobalt-special-steel-lam-cos.1604669​

Low toughness means it can chip.

 

[shadmin]

Looks different than 440C to me. Those element additions make a difference. It's definitely different than regular 440C.